A $1.5 trillion government funding bill approved last week by the U.S. Senate and House includes significant federal support for vital programs and services in North Jersey, as well as millions for community projects across the region.
The package, which funds the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year and delivers $13.6 billion in emergency aid to help Ukraine and NATO allies, follows months of negotiations between Democratic and Republican leaders.
U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez praised its passage, saying, “It’s not every day that we have an opportunity to secure billions of dollars in critical federal funding for programs to support hardworking families, protect communities, and ensure every child has a chance to succeed.”
Key Aspects
The bill provides $730 billion for domestic programs, 6.7% more than last year, which will translate into increased spending on schools, housing, childcare, biomedical research, renewable energy, feeding programs, law enforcement grants and cybersecurity initiatives. The legislation sets aside $782 billion for defense, a 5.6% boost over 2021’s levels.
The 2,700-page, 12-bill omnibus now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk, where he is expected to sign it.
Menendez went on to say the bill “will create good-paying jobs, lower costs, and tackle some of the most pressing issues facing New Jersey families such as access to childcare and higher education, affordable housing, and reliable and safe transportation,” as well as send “a string message of support to Ukraine and our allies.”
Infrastructure Investment
The legislation will allocate $81 billion to repair crumbling infrastructure, funding that U.S. Rep. Tom Malinowski will help move the long-awaited Gateway Program forward. The measure gives $2.3 billion to Amtrak—$331 million more than last year—and includes $874.5 million for Northeast Corridor Grants.
“The investments in this bill, coupled with what we secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, mean easier commutes and safer roads for New Jerseyans struggling to get to work each day,” said Malinowski, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “My office and I are ready to start pumping this money into New Jersey.”
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer said, “When signed into law, this federal investment will improve transit, support law enforcement, fight terror, and help lower the property tax burden on our families.”
Return of Earmarks
Along with investments in education, housing and transportation, the package is fueled by a large number of hometown projects across the U.S., which Congress had banned since 2011 but revived this year. The spending—once called earmarks, now dubbed community projects —will help advance a range of initiatives in New Jersey.
“For years, New Jersey has been getting less back from the federal government than we send to Washington in taxes, and we are finally beginning to reverse that,” said Malinowski.
Gottheimer said, “By working closely with North Jersey’s local counties, towns, and municipalities, I’ve been fighting in Congress to claw more tax dollars back to Jersey for projects that help our communities. Today marked a major milestone in that fight. With all ten Fifth District community projects included in the bipartisan legislation, we’re one step closer to clawing back more federal dollars to North Jersey.”
Community Projects
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9) called the omnibus “a generational investment in America’s future.”
“With this spending package, we have allocated billions of dollars for public safety, environmental programs, and more. We have also voted to provide over $13 billion in aid to support the Ukrainian people on the frontlines of defending democracy against the criminal Russian invasion,” Pascrell said. “Here in North Jersey, we’ve secured over $11 million for community projects that will benefit generations of New Jerseyans to come. I’m damn proud to have included so many New Jersey priorities in this bill.”
U.S. Rep. Albio Sires (D-8) echoed the sentiment, saying the legislation “contains historic investments for hard working Americans.”
Besides “vital funding” for housing, education, public health and green energy initiatives, Sires noted the dedicated support he helped secure for projects in his district and said he was “eager to see the impact” it will have locally.
COVID Aid Is ‘Urgently Needed’
While North Jersey lawmakers praised the overall spending package, they expressed disappointment over cuts in spending on COVID-19 relief.
The White House had called for the authorization of $22.5 billion to bolster federal efforts to continue battling the pandemic. The final version of the bill includes $15.6 billion in coronavirus aid.
Menendez said, “While I’m disappointed in the Republicans’ refusal to provide additional funding for COVID-19 response efforts to support state and local governments reeling from the effects of the pandemic, I will continue to push my colleagues to pass this funding in a separate bipartisan effort as quickly as possible.”
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker added, “I hope that the Senate will come together and pass urgently needed funding to continue the fight to keep Americans healthy and COVID at bay.”
Noteworthy Local Community Projects
Below is a partial list of North Jersey projects that will be funded by the recently passed omnibus spending bill in Washington
- Bayonne: Russell Golding Park project ($5 million)
- Bergen County: Hackensack Transit connector project ($250,000)
- Cliffside Park: West Grantwood Park rehabilitation ($250,000)
- Fort Lee: streetscape project ($250,000)
- Garfield: wellness center ($1.5 million)
- Hackensack: stormwater infrastructure upgrades ($1 million)
- Hackensack University Medical Center: CT scanner acquisition project ($775,000)
- Hoboken: electric vehicle fast charging station project ($250,000)
- Hudson County Community College: technology systems ($980,000)
- Hudson Raritan Estuary: Hackensack Meadowlands ecosystem restoration ($1.2 million)
- Leonia: public safety communications improvement project ($250,000)
- New Bridge Medical Center: Behavioral Health Emergency Dept. expansion project ($2 million)
- Newark: water loss monitoring program ($492,000)
- Newton Medical Center: Behavioral Health Department renovations project ($750,000)
- North Bergen: new speed tables and rapid flashing beacons around six schools ($488,000)
- Paramus: Prospect Avenue Sewer Pump Station Project ($250,000)
- Paterson: Wrigley Park rehabilitation ($360,000)
- Passaic: design and construction of multi-use pedestrian greenway ($883,000)
- Prospect Park: main sewer line repairs ($223,000)
- Ridgewood Water: Drinking Water Treatment Facilities Construction ($2.8 million)
- Saddle Brook: sewage rehabilitation and improvements ($1.3 million)
- Saddle River: Sewer Main Construction Project ($1.1 million)
- Secaucus: Juvenile justice mentorship program ($340,000)
- St. Joseph’s Medical Center: Mental health designated screening center expansion and renovation ($2 million)
- Sussex Borough: Water Utility Improvement Project ($100,000)
- Sussex County: Elderly, Veteran, and Employment Services Transportation Services ($500,000)
- University Hospital: trauma operating room project ($3.8 million)
- Union City: Closed-circuit television ($1.1 million)
- Warren County Community College: agriculture education and training program ($750,000)
- Wharton: public infrastructure improvements on Washington Street ($250,000)
- West New York: Pier 93 project ($2.25 million)
What about South jersey what are they getting, there are families that need assistance and I would rather choice who I want to help with my tax dollars: like those in need in the United States that are homeless and hungry
WOW! What 0utragious PORK a caoming from all them Porkster’s in Gov’t!! Well now, if’n they can Throw $13 Billions at them Ukrainians, Than they can also throw another $13 Billion’s to Help 0ut Everyone in NJ needing Help!! SEE! What’s good For’n Ukraine should also be Good for’n NJ’an’s!!//